The strategies of splitting pairs are actually quite complicated, so to make this discussion simple we are going to take a look at when to split only. To get your started right away, let us take a look at the pairs. You should split a pair of 2 when the dealer’s open card is a 3, 4, 5, 6, or 7. The same rule applies to pair of 3 as well. Pair of 4s and pair of 5s should never be split since the hand is actually quite strong as starting hand on their own. With pair of 6s, split anytime the dealer’s open card is showing a 6 or lower.

Higher pairs can actually be handled easily since the best moves are actually quite obvious. With a pair of 7 as your starting hand, observe the dealer’s open card and split whenever the card is a 7 or less. With pair of 8s, always split no matter what the dealer’s open card is, with one exception: you should simply stand if the dealers open card is either a 10 or one of the face cards. Split pair of 9s if the dealer’s open card is not 7, 10/face card, or an Ace. To end our discussion, always split pair of Aces and never split pair of 10s.